Police searching for teens behind Midland-Odessa vehicle thefts

MIDLAND-ODESSA, TX (KWES) - Two teens were arrested Wednesday after Odessa and Midland Police launched a joint investigation into a string of burglaries and vehicle thefts across the two cities.

Andres Canales, 18, was arrested around 4 a.m. in the 2400 block of East 21st Street in Odessa. He was charged with aggravated assault on a public servant and evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, police said.

Andrew Diaz, 17, was taken into custody around 3 p.m. and charged with two counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Both Canales and Diaz are "expected to face more charges," Odessa Police said in a press release.

At least three additional suspects - and "possibly several more" - remained at large Wednesday night, according to authorities.

"[We're looking for] a group of teens who are going back and forth between Midland and Odessa... stealing vehicles and staging burglaries in both cities," said Odessa Police spokesman Cpl. Steve LeSueur. "They're believed to be Hispanic males between the ages of 15 and 18."

Authorities could not confirm how many vehicles the teens had stolen or how many burglaries had been committed.

Midland neighborhoods targeted by the suspects include the Grasslands and Legends Park subdivisions, according to Midland Police.

The stolen vehicle that led to Canales' arrest was a red 2005 Chevrolet Silverado taken from Legends Park, authorities confirmed.

A white 2012 Audi A6 Quatro stolen from the 6200 block of Glenhaven Drive and a red Toyota Tundra from Onyx Court led to Diaz' arrest, Odessa Police said.

"The most important thing is [urging] people to be aware of their surroundings," said LeSueur. "If anybody sees a suspicious person or suspicious activity, they need to report it immediately... because it's those calls that lead to these types of arrests."